The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says that maintenance work on an existing oil pipeline, owned and operated by Enbridge Energy near the waterway could cause the incidental take of the turtles.

The DNR says that refers to the unintentional loss of an individual threatened animal that doesn't put the overall population at risk.

Those speaking for Enbridge Energy say they are working with the DNR to solve this problem.

"We'll put up some fencing to keep the turtle away from our construction workers, from the excavation site. That will mitigate any harm that would come to it," said Becky Haase with Enbridge Energy.